We sometimes get into disputes about how Christians are to relate to “The Law”. Are we under Law or under grace? Now, for obvious reasons, there doesn’t tend to be much discussion or debate about whether or not we are under any requirement to not murder or steal. So, the focus when it comes to the question of law and grace tends to be on things like relationships and also on Sabbath observance (questions concerning dietary laws and circumcision having been long settled.
The Corinthians were clearly proud of their freedom. It led to their boasting in chapter 5 when they should have been embarrassed about their failure to deal with sin. Now Paul talks about what it means for him to be free to help them understand what it means for them.
If one is free then all are free (v1-14)
Paul points out that he is an apostle, an eye witness of the resurrected Jesus. He has a particular relationship with the Corinthian church. The church is there and they are believers because of his work among them. Doesn’t this mean that he, as much as anyone is declared free.
He them observes that other free people including soldiers, farmers, shepherds don’t serve at their own expense. They are not treated like slaves. Even beasts of burden, according to Scripture are to be treated well and looked after. Gospel workers are entitled not to be treated as the church’s slaves but should be looked after and provided for. So, Paul claims that he has a right to receive support from the church.
The freedom of the church should not be enjoyed at the expense of some of its members. This means that we shouldn’t be looking to some to do all the work of looking after everyone whilst we put our feet up. We should perhaps look particularly at how we organise Sundays. If most of us are enjoying church as a consumer experience whilst a few people are running around to make sure everything is set up, that there’s good music and that the kids are provided for then something has gone wrong.
We are free not to demand our rights (v15-18)
Paul isn’t making this point in order to demand that the Corinthians pay up. Instead, he is using it as an example. He points out that he hasn’t and that he won’t demand what he is entitled to. How is he able to do this? Well, he argues that there is reward from God in what he does. Whether or not the church treat him as free, God rewards hi. In other words, Paul puts into practice what he teaches in Ephesians 6:5-9.
The reward for Paul is in the joy of freely proclaiming the good news. Preaching is its own reward. Here is practical advice for those who find themselves serving the church, ministry on a Sunday, putting chairs out, running kids clubs etc. You may feel like you are being treated as a slave by the church but don’t entertain that thought for long because that way is the road to bitterness. Instead, find joy in your service and see that as your reward from the Lord.
Meanwhile there is a wider point here, which is that because we are secure in our freedom in the Lord, a freedom that is by grace, not earned, we too can forgo our rights just as Christ laid down his rights and his life. This means that not only in the church but in our families, communities and wider society, we don’t need to fight for what we think we are entitled to. This frees us up to fight for the rights of others.
Use your freedom for good (v19-27)
We are free from sin, Satan, death, the world but this we means we are free to serve Christ. So, Paul makes use of the opportunities given to him by his freedom in Christ. He may be nobody’s slave but he makes himself everybody’s slave.
This means that he is prepared to contextualise. He will live under the same obligations as the people he is seeking to witness to. He will put their needs and priorities first. This will help us to think as Christians about what we should do in specific contexts. It concerned me for example during the pandemic when some Christian leaders were more concerned about why they and the church should be recognised as having an exemption from COVID restrictions rather than showing concern for the impact those restrictions were having on the businesses and communities around them.
So, freedom is put to use and this means that we seek to exercise self-control. We are not under the control of others, so we take responsibility for our own discipline, like an athlete in exercise. We recognise that our freedom has a goal, the spread of the good news and our eventual eternal destiny and reward, so we work hard for those things.
Conclusion
We might argue that freedom is about a state of mind, it’s about our hearts. If in our hearts, we are free in Christ, then others cannot rob us of that freedom.
It is crucial though, that there is a true sense of freedom and joy in the church. Whilst each individual church member can choose freedom in their hearts, this does not absolve us of the responsibility to create that context where everyone is genuinely enjoying freedom in Christ in order to better serve the Gospel.
Faithroots 